East Side 10U baseball team headed to World Series

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – The South Bend East Side 10U All-Star team has been together for the past three years.

“They’re my friends because we’ve all been on the same team, most of us since 8U. Then 8U, 9U, 10U, we’ve all been on the same team, so we all know each other and stuff,” says first baseman Baylen Blasko.

The team is managed by former Mishawaka High School star pitcher and Chicago Cubs first round pick Chadd Blasko.

“Just watching them grow as little dudes and their skill level is getting so much better, it’s so fun to be out here and try to mentor them and just try to coach and teach these kids little things about baseball,” Coach Blasko says.

This team has had plenty of success, but their biggest win was when they recently won another state title, qualifying them for the Cal Ripken 10U World Series.

“Probably maybe this one. Winning states and going to World Series. This is a good one. It was fun and cool to be able to tell everybody that I’m going to the World Series,” says infielder/outfielder Zane Barber.

East Side will play teams from around the country and the world in Crown Point this weekend.

“These kids are super excited, and I’m excited for our coaches, our families,” Coach Blasko says. “The parents are excited to do this. It’s really going to be a cool, neat experience for us to go play someone else besides the teams that are around here.”

It starts on Saturday with pool play, as East Side tries to advance to the championship.

“I know these guys can do it, and I have confidence they can do it,” Coach Blasko says. “They’ve showed us over the last three years, they showed their parents, and they showed themselves that they can do it.”

That belief has them focused on one goal

“Bring home a championship for South Bend,” says shortstop/pitcher Jackson Garrett.

A World Series title will have this group remembered for long after they’re done playing together.

For more information on the 2024 10U Cal Ripken World Series in Crown Point, click here.

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